A NIGHT IN LONDON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17076, 1 September 1917, Page 5

A NIGHT IN LONDON.

WITH OUR NEW ZEALAND BOYI

A TYPICAL V.M.C.A. ENTERTAIM MENT. '■

PRESENTATION TO MR. VARNEii

(From a special reporter.) LONDON, May lS.'^H . A few days ago a soldier froi^^| New Zealand came to London fo^^| the first time, and while resting hi^^H kit .by the wayside, was apprcache^^H by a smartly-attired lady 7/ith a^H enquiry as to whether she migh^H help to direct him. As they waitei^M for the right omnibus to appear, th^^| fair one spoke interestingly of Lon^H don, assured the nev/comer that, sli^H and her sisters never lest an oDpor^H tunity of doing something for* sol^H diers, and, when the waiting , ha^^H become monotonous, suggested tha^H if he would come up to such anx^H such a corner she would put him d^H another bus. Though somewhat un^H responsive, the man from the "Long^H White Cloud" had evidently beei^H : ttiinlung rather deeply, for with ~;^H of foot he declared, "No, I'l^H 'hot go with you; I've been wame^^H about 'London." As a matter qj^H fact, the lady was a member of i^H distinguished - family of society en^H tertainers*, hut the soldier was not to^H ;know that. With a rare touch o^H 'htimour, Miss Eva Moore -told the^| joke against herself by way of'an^H encore while assisting at a concert in^H the hall of the Shakespeare Hutt-^'^B the V.M.C.A. headquarters for New,^H Zealand soldiers. The boys roared^H at the joke. . ''*-^|

"SOMETHING DOING."

Go where you will around tn<M V.M.C.A. huts in London, in train-^M ing camps, in military hospitals, otm in convalescent camps, you will- al-fl Ways'find "something doing." FrelM entertainments and lectures are ol nightly occurrence, and many a sol» dier is quite content without going 1™ further afield. . It saves his pockeM and keeps him in a healthy environ-*B WML Further, the programmes are« iprbVlded by the best talent in Eng-.1 land. Take for instance, the Shake- ■ speare Hut concert referred to above '*■ Tt \v&s arranged in accordance wittfß her weekly custom by Lady Forbes* Robertson, the Shakespearean ac-fl tress and idol of London. The first'B name on the programme was that' of'■ Lady Maude Warrender, of com-* 'taanding presence and easy bearing/I The large audience of soldiers ap- fl plauded her song (one of Handel'sf I as only soldiers can. Lady Maude'! responded with "Mary" and the audi^l enee "readily accepted an invitational to 30m in the chorus. Then fol-^1 flowed an "all-star" programme byfl professional entertainers whose de-'-l sire to help the soldiers is just as] keen as that of the makers of muni-' tions, etc. Miss Nellie Ganthony^ in her songs at the,piano- and impersonations, was immense, securing no " less than three recalls; Miss Eva J Moore won the boys as she alone knows how; Miss Christine Hawkes ' the classical English concertina' gayer, extracted wonderful effects' her tiny instrument; Miss Mu-» reel Pickupp, the soulful violinist" proved irresistible; Miss France^' Wetherall, Miss Dorothy Holmes- ? Gore and Miss Fulton recited origv* raal humourous pieces such as the * soldiers relish: and Miss EthelGrxfties brought down the house with ' her -impersonation of various music- ' hall turns. Miss Euphani McLean and .h-e* ballet of eight- pretty little London girls" were recalled again and - again.. But the best hit of the even- " mg was the dramatic^ etch, "Door-' mS?V¥ S?, chaitmill S R^sson and'd Miss Kate Hill. The entertainment,^! like..the pther entertainments pro-<fl vided by Lady Forbes Robertson/! was immense, and the cheers which' 1 the >6ys gave for the members of the 1

FOR NEW ZEALAND,

There was an unexpected item !n -'- this programme which will inte-est • many people in New Zealand It arose out of a feeling speech that - was made in the interval by Mr . Harry Bri'ce, one of the most promi- -: nent members of the London StockExchange who is now devoting th* whole' of his'time to the business "■ ja^genlent of the Shakespeare Hut. : Speaking on behalf of the honorary workers at the Hut—nearly 400—Mr. Brice expressed the general ra- ,' pet which was felt at the approach- * mg departure of Mr. A. Varney supervising secretary for the New / Zealand section of V.M.C.A; work in England and prance. The speakers % £S?m ? at 9 e honorary workers : would have been more than pleased had circumstances not rendered his return to New Zealand necessary : Their assbciation had been most cor- '. ami, ahd in token of this and in * appreciation of the splendid work - which Mr. Varney had done, thoy - desired that he should carry away :: some tangible souvenir of his ' lengthy stay in London. The pr^- '- entation took the form of a valuable '- ravelling bag with an approbriate ' inscription. Mr. Brice then SfnS S e. New Zealaßd fo -1 not. need a second invitation, and '' their cheers were as hearty as any ever given. In expressing his ' Jf .f i atld commissioners had % TH tlie, *tac|Ple that as the New ~" Zealand soldiers were the farthest away from home, they deserved the ' best care. That was why they had aimed—and they believed, .success ' huts the most attractive and the *nost comfortable of any VAT r A n«ta. (Applause). In the name of the mothers and sisters of New Zealand soldiers, Mr. Varney expressed - deeply grateful thanks to the women °* ?}»f se£ sacrificing efforts, on behalf of our *P? S- m.tp* soldiers endorse! ' the thanits with ringing cheers